Power Surge: Cannes Film Festival Remains Uninterrupted Amid Outage

A massive power outage affected approximately 160,000 homes in Cannes, France, disrupting the film festival but allowing it to continue thanks to backup power systems.

A significant power outage struck the Cannes area in southeastern France on Saturday morning, impacting the ongoing Cannes Film Festival and leaving many residents without electricity. French authorities reported that the outage began at 10 a.m. and affected up to 160,000 homes. Crews from RTE, France’s electrical grid operator, and the national electrical distribution company were deployed to swiftly restore power.

Despite the inconvenience, festival organizers assured that they promptly shifted to an independent power supply. "All scheduled events and screenings, including the closing ceremony, will proceed as planned under normal conditions," a spokesperson stated, although some screenings at a single theater were temporarily paused. The prestigious Palme d’Or and other film awards are set to be presented later in the evening.

Local reports indicated that traffic lights were non-operational in several parts of Cannes, leading state authorities in the Alpes-Maritimes region to advise caution to residents and festival attendees. Amidst the chaos, the festival's resilience and prompt measures highlight the organization’s commitment to hosting a seamless event despite unforeseen challenges.